ATLANTA – Auburn receiver Darvin Adams set a Southeastern Conference championship game record with 217 yards on seven catches Saturday as the Tigers walloped South Carolina 56-17.
All of that productivity occurred in the first half, with 51 yards on a very unlikely final play.
Adams hauled in a desperation heave from Cam Newton that was tipped by Gamecocks strong safety DeVonte Holloman at the goal line. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound junior keyed in on the tip and caught the ball over cornerback Stephon Gilmore, resulting in a 28-14 halftime lead.
“The first thing was keep my eye on the ball, and the second and most important thing was the catch,” Adams said. “Coaches make us run that play every week, just in case we have to run it. Today, it just seemed to work in our favor.”
The Gamecocks had pulled within 21-14 with 16 seconds left in the half and had hopes of tying the game, because they were getting the ball to open the third quarter. Adams dashed those thoughts, and South Carolina missed a field goal early in the third quarter.